Ben Mitsuyoshi went to be with his Lord and Savior February 1, 2018 in Santa Rosa, Calif.
Born in Armona, CA May 21,1928, Ben grew up in the Hanford area and graduated high school after his family returned from their forced internment during WW2. Ben served in the U.S Army during the Korean War. Staff Sergeant Mitsuyoshi was a platoon leader for intelligence/reconnaissance missions in Germany. He was very proud of his service and loved to remind us of his top secret clearance levels! He received his Honorable Discharge in 1952.

After the Army, Ben played a season of professional baseball in Japan with the Hiroshima Carps. He and a few other professional players were honored in 1997 by the San Francisco Giants for their efforts paving the way for Japanese players in the MLB. Upon his return to the U.S. Ben used his master carpentry skills to build his parents a home in Armona. After that experience he decided produce was the career for him. Ben started his career at Safeway as a warehouse supervisor. He worked his way up to be a produce buyer for the Los Angeles area. For over 30 years Ben worked the produce industry around the L.A./Ventura county area. He retired in 1990 and moved back to the Central Valley making his home in Visalia, CA. He loved serving the people of Grace Lutheran Church as an Elder and spending time with his family and friends. After living in Visalia for over 18 years, Ben and Joette moved to Santa Rosa, CA to be near their close friends, Tom and Lee.

Ben enjoyed carpentry, sport fishing with his brothers and most of all going to the Casinos. He could be found at any one of the Bay area casinos up into his 80s! Ben is preceded in death by his oldest son, Stan. He is survived by his wife, Joette, son, Scott and grandson, Seth as well as sisters Nancy (Harry) Miya and Mary Nishimine.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, March 23rd @ 1pm at the Hanford Cemetary, 105005 10th Ave, Hanford, CA

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 24th @ 1 pm at Grace Lutheran Church, 1111 S Conyer St, Visalia, CA.